Brown named volleyball coach

A familiar face will be the new head volleyball coach at Columbia Falls High School. Josie Brown coached the team from 2002 to 2005 and will lead the team this fall.

She replaces coach Addy Connelly, who resigned earlier this year. Brown said she’s looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m thrilled with the young talent coming up,” she said.

The team should have a host of talented freshmen next season as well as plenty of returning varsity players, like Ciera Finberg, Haley Belgarde, Tiffany Hummer and Winter Kemppainnen.

When Connelly took over the program in 2006, Brown didn’t stop coaching — she moved to the junior high.

“I’ve coached these girls since sixth grade,” she said.

Brown has been a teacher here for 13 years. She taught fifth grade at Glacier Gateway this year, but will teach sixth grade science next year at the junior high.

Last year, the Wildkats went 7-14 overall, but it was the first time they made it to the state tournament since Brown coached them in 2003. The Kats were swept at state.